The JOSEPH SAVARD was making her ninth crossing of the day, but the master and the officer were on their first trip of the day. When the relieving master boarded the vessel, the master being relieved informed him of the ice conditions that had been encountered during the day. Although ice patches had been present during the day's other crossings, they had not prevented the passage of the vessel. The Qubec Marine Rescue Sub-centre (MRSC) is the organization responsible for search and rescue (SAR) operations in the area of le-aux-Coudres. As more than one SAR operation may be under way at one time, it is essential that the MRSC be advised as soon as possible after a marine casualty. Fast deployment of resources is the key to success in such missions. The vessel ran aground at about 1525. Attempts were made to refloat the vessel for about an hour before the Qubec VTC was notified of the occurrence. As soon as it received notification, the VTC informed the Qubec MRSC of the situation. Prompt notification of the MRSC would have allowed it to pass to the alert phase one hour earlier. This phase places SAR personnel on alert and allows faster deployment of available resources if the passengers, crew and vessel suddenly become endangered. The five passengers who left the ferry in a boat were members of an ice boat racing team who had just taken part in a race between Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and le-aux-Coudres.Analysis The JOSEPH SAVARD was making her ninth crossing of the day, but the master and the officer were on their first trip of the day. When the relieving master boarded the vessel, the master being relieved informed him of the ice conditions that had been encountered during the day. Although ice patches had been present during the day's other crossings, they had not prevented the passage of the vessel. The Qubec Marine Rescue Sub-centre (MRSC) is the organization responsible for search and rescue (SAR) operations in the area of le-aux-Coudres. As more than one SAR operation may be under way at one time, it is essential that the MRSC be advised as soon as possible after a marine casualty. Fast deployment of resources is the key to success in such missions. The vessel ran aground at about 1525. Attempts were made to refloat the vessel for about an hour before the Qubec VTC was notified of the occurrence. As soon as it received notification, the VTC informed the Qubec MRSC of the situation. Prompt notification of the MRSC would have allowed it to pass to the alert phase one hour earlier. This phase places SAR personnel on alert and allows faster deployment of available resources if the passengers, crew and vessel suddenly become endangered. The five passengers who left the ferry in a boat were members of an ice boat racing team who had just taken part in a race between Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and le-aux-Coudres. There was a moving ice patch off the Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive wharf. The ferry became stuck in a drifting ice floe. The ferry ran aground before she could free herself from the ice floe. The bridge watch was aware of the presence of the ice patch. The Qubec VTC was only notified about one hour after the occurrence.Findings There was a moving ice patch off the Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive wharf. The ferry became stuck in a drifting ice floe. The ferry ran aground before she could free herself from the ice floe. The bridge watch was aware of the presence of the ice patch. The Qubec VTC was only notified about one hour after the occurrence. The JOSEPH SAVARD ran aground because she became stuck in an ice floe and was driven toward the shore. The Qubec MRSC was only notified one hour after the occurrence, thereby needlessly delaying the rescue operation.Causes and Contributing Factors The JOSEPH SAVARD ran aground because she became stuck in an ice floe and was driven toward the shore. The Qubec MRSC was only notified one hour after the occurrence, thereby needlessly delaying the rescue operation.